Big Academy launches to help tackle rising youth unemployment

WITH youth unemployment in the UK steadily on the increase, a new organisation has launched today that hopes to help re-shape the nations approach to the growing problem.

The Big Academy is a new, non-profit organisation that has been created to help tackle the rising numbers of young people out of work by creating opportunities for all young people regardless of their social or academic background.

Set up by the ZootAlore! Group, Clarity Education and Vocational Care Solutions, the Big Academy will focus predominantly on the delivery of work experience but aims to support all young people in getting prepared for and finding work as Marketing Director, Adrian Oldfield explains.

He said: Were incredibly excited and proud about the Big Academy launch. Youth unemployment is at an all time high, as more and more young people struggle to find work opportunities once they enter the job market. From school leavers to graduates, finding a job as a young person is now tougher than ever so we really felt compelled to do something.

We believe that the Big Academy can help tackle the problem in a number of key ways. We will provide good quality work experience programmes that get young people ready and motivated for the world of work, engage with employers and crucially, provide young people with a website which they can access for free, to seek advice, be inspired and find work vacancies.

The Big Academy - which will initially roll out across Yorkshire and Birmingham - has already attracted a number of high profile businesses onto its scheme. Employers that have recently signed up include Deloitte, McDonalds, Network Rail and Hilton Hotels.

Adrian added: Weve already experienced a fantastic response to the Big Academy from high profile employers which is demonstrative of the impending crisis the UK faces as more young people find themselves unable to get work.

The Big Academy is still very much in its early stages but were delighted that we can now begin to help young people and look forward to improving our offering as we move forward.

All businesses, from SMEs to blue-chip organisations, are invited to get onboard with the Big Academy and use the website to post work opportunities and vacancies and engage with their future workforce. To register an interest or get involved please visit www.bigacademy.org